Alfonse D'Amato: “In my opinion, the bottom line is that we are being asked by the House to lay waste to the Air Force's support jammer…”

“In my opinion, the bottom line is that we are being asked by the House to lay waste to the Air Force's support jammer capability without sufficient analysis or debate. We know the Navy option is woefully inadequate. We should ask ourselves several critical questions before we even decide what to do about Air Force and Navy support jamming requirements. First, what are the alternatives to the EF-111A SIP? Second, if there are none, how will the termination of the SIP, and the retirement of the EF-111A's, affect the efficiency and survivability of our strike forces? Does the distinguished Defense Subcommittee chairman agree that, until we can answer these questions, any suggestion of rescinding EF-111A SIP funds is fraught with too many risks for our national security.”